A special “What’s in a name” edition of Why For

Jim Hill

17 years ago

First up, Michael R. writes in to ask:

I was wondering if there was any specific reason why there has not been a release of the “Disney-MGM Studios” version of (the “Imagineering Field Guide”) series? They’ve released books for the other three parks and I understand now they’re working on the CA parks. Is it because of the impending name changes at that park?

Thank you for your informative web site. I rely upon your daily postings for insight into the Disney company.

Dear Michael R.

To be honest, the folks over at Disney Editions opted not to release the “Imagineering Field Guide for Disney-MGM Studios” in 2008 for a number of reasons. For starters, a lot of Disneyland fans have been asking for an “Imagineering Field” that would cover their favorite theme park. And next year seemed as good a time as any to finally field that paperback.

But then — of course — there was that whole “Is Disney-MGM really going to change its name? And — if so — what sort of impact would that decision then have on the Studios Field Guide?” question. Which is another reason that the people at Disney Publishing opted to push back publication of this particular “Imagineering Field Guide” for another year or so.

As to whether Disney-MGM would really be changing its name … This question was officially answered yesterday when Meg Crofton, president of the Walt Disney World Resort, issued the following statement:

The Disney-MGM Studios has always been “dedicated to Hollywood, not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine.” As we continue to celebrate The Year of a Million Dreams, I am thrilled to share what’s ahead for 2008.

First, there will be new attractions and experiences for Guests of all ages to enjoy. This includes the interactive thrills of Toy Story Mania! and the incredible energy of the new Block Party Bash parade. We’ll also introduce new Disney Channel friends at Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage and add even more “Wildcat Fever” with the opening of Disney High School Musical 2: School’s Out! this fall.

Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Second, effective January 2008, the Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed “Disney’s Hollywood Studios.” This change represents the park’s growth from the golden age of movies to the most exciting entertainment of today’s movies, television, music and theater. The name “Disney’s Hollywood Studios” more closely reflects the attractions and experiences offered today.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will continue to showcase classic Hollywood through its art deco style of the 30s and 40s, as well as contemporary Hollywood through its exciting attractions such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show and the new Toy Story Mania!

I hope you are excited about these changes and encourage you to share this great news with your team. You might even say that “Hollywood” is now our middle name!

Now, what’s interesting about that “Disney’s Hollywood Studios” name is that it’s something of a compromise. To explain: The Walt Disney Company was contractually obligated to stop using the “MGM” name in association with its studio theme park by the end of 2007. And the Mouse’s marketing team was all gung-ho about the idea of renaming WDW’s third theme park “Disney-Pixar Studios” … Until they got back the results of a certain survey.

It seems that those that Disney polled about possibly changing “Disney-MGM” ‘s name to “Disney-Pixar” were initially quite positive about this idea. However, there were certain guest assumptions that then came attached with this proposed name change.

As in: When people who were taking this phone survey were then asked which theme park they’d expect to find “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin,” “Turtle Talk with Crush” and “Finding Nemo — The Musical” in, they immediately answered “Disney-Pixar Studios.”

Which (of course) was going to be a bit of a problem. Given that the “Buzz Lightyear” attraction that they’d mentioned was located in WDW’s Magic Kingdom, “Turtle Talk” was over at Epcot while that new “Nemo” musical was being presented in Animal Kingdom.

What this phone survey supposed showed WDW officials was that — if they chose to remain WDW’s studio theme park “Disney-Pixar” — Disney World visitors would then expect to find all of that resort’s Pixar-based attractions located within the walls of that one specific theme park. Which would make things rather difficult for the folks working at Guest Relations at the Studios. Given that they’d be ones who’d then have to explain to irate guests why the “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” show wasn’t located inside of Disney-Pixar Studios, but — rather — over at the Magic Kingdom.

So — in the end — it was decided that the safer choice would be to rename WDW’s third theme park “Disney’s Hollywood Studios.” However, recognizing the promotional value of the Pixar name, the Imagineers then opted to rename at least part of this theme park after this CG studio. Which is why — in 2008 — Mickey Avenue (i.e. Formerly where the soundstages that “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Play It!” were located. Now this area will be play host to the studio theme park’s “Toy Story Mania” attraction as well as the soon-to-be-announced stateside version of “Crush’s Coaster“) will officially become Pixar Place.

Getting back to those “Imagineering Field Guides” now … My understanding is that we’ll see the Disneyland edition released in 2008, the Disney’s Hollywood Studios edition published in 2009, and the DCA edition in 2010.

And speaking of Disney’s California Adventure … Next up, Lillian C. writes in to ask:

Hi Jim.

Now that Disney plans on spending some money to fix DCA, do you think that they’ll rename the park to something else? Based on all the ideas bouncing around about the potential additions/changes, it seems like it will be less about celebrating California. Wouldn’t it make sense to rename it? Or is that something Disney wouldn’t do?

Best,

Lillian C.

Dear Lillian C.

The Imagineers aren’t really looking to change the name of Disney’s California Adventure. In fact, the way I hear it, what WDI is actually thinking of adding a new word to the title of this particular theme park.

Ah, but what a difference that one word would make. What am I talking about? Well, how would you feel if they changed DCA’s name to “Walt Disney’s California Adventure” ?

The idea here is that all of DCA’s “districts” (Remember? Back when this theme park originally opened up back in February of 2001, the Imagineers were quite specific about this matter. Disneyland had “lands.” Whereas Disney’s California Adventure — because it was infinitely more adult & sophisticated than its boring, older sibling across the plaza — had “districts”) would eventually come to thematically represent various aspects of Walt’s journey from being this poor boy in Marceline, Missouri to becoming a genuine Hollywood legend.

So (following along this design scheme) DCA’s “Sunshine Plaza” (i.e. The entrance area of that theme park) would be retooled to look like the Southern California that Walt encountered when he first stepped off the train back in 1923. As for the park’s Hollywood Pictures backlot section, the time period for this DCA district would then be dialed back to the mid-1930s. When Walt was initially taking Tinsel Town by storm.

Mind you, one of the more interesting ideas that the Imagineers are reportedly toying with is completely ripping out the Golden Vine Winery restaurant. And in its place building an approximation of the Disney family’s Holmby Hills estate. Inside the house itself would be “Walt’s Place,” a brand-new restaurant that would celebrate the man as well as his love of American comfort food. Meanwhile, out in the “backyard” of this estate would be a brand-new version of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Which guests could then board and — via an elaborate system of tressels — take a quick scenic trip around the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. Where they could then view rafters splashing along Grizzly River Run and hikers exploring the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail before heading back to the Holmby Hills estate.

Please keep in mind that this particular DCA retheming idea still has to make it past Disney’s attorneys. Who aren’t going to be all that enthusiastic about the combination of brain-dead tourists, miniature trains and live steam. Which is why WDI already allegedly has a fall-back position for this particular retheming project. In that the Imagineers will then agree to upscale the train that would be used for this new DCA attraction so that it would resemble the one used in Disneyland’s old “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” attraction.

Of course, by doing something like that … Well, it takes away a lot of the fun for Disney enthusiasts. Robbing them of the chance to experience what it might have been like to ride on Walt’s own miniature backyard railway. But on the other hand, an upscaled version of this train would then address all of the concerns that Disney’s attorneys (Not to mention DCA’s Ops staff. Which would really have their hands full dealing with the limited hourly ride capacity of this proposed attraction) would be sure to raise.

As for the Pacific Pier area … This part of the park would then be rethemed to feature elements that would suggest all of the Southern California amusement parks that Walt visited with his daughters while he was doing research prior to the construction of the original Disneyland.

You getting the idea yet, Lillian? The Imagineers want to shift DCA from being a theme park that tells these very broad stories about Southern California to becoming a place that tells very specific stories. All of the adventures that one man had while he was living in California. In short … Walt Disney’s California Adventure.

“But how does the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, A Bug’s Land and/or Cars Land fit into that specific storyline?,” you ask. Well … The Imagineers haven’t actually figured that part out yet. Which is why they’re now trying to make the rethemed version of DCA loose enough so that it can then accommodate these storytelling anomalies. While — at the same time — keep the park specific enough that it then can support this “Walt Disney’s California Adventure” storyline.

Now please keep in mind that this is the Walt Disney Company that we’re talking about here. Consequently, over the coming years, plans will change. Projects will be announced and then never make it off the drawing boards. That’s just the way of the world when you’re dealing with WDI.

But that said … You gotta admit that “Walt Disney’s California Adventure” certainly sounds like it would be a much better theme park than plain-old DCA … Don’t you think?

Your thoughts?